News

COPA takes up mechanism to use IT for 13 state institutions

Published

11 months ago

May 25, 2023

editor

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) which met on March 23 to discuss using information technology for government institutions, established a committee to be led by the Secretary to the Prime Minister – Mr. Anura Dissanayake to put forth a mechanism with action dates to be presented to the Committee prior to May 15.

Accordingly, the COPA met yesterday (23) in Parliament under the chairmanship of Lasantha Alagiyawanna to present the mechanism prepared by the said Committee formed.

Thus, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Anura Dissanayake explained in detail the use of information technology in relation to 13 government institutions. The following 13 institutions were considered regarding the use of information technology.

– Department for Registration of Persons
– Sri Lanka Customs
– Import and Export Control Department
– Department of Agriculture
– Sri Lanka Standards Institute
– Motor Transport Department
– Excise Department
– Inland Revenue Department
– Department of Registrar of Companies
– Registrar General’s Department
– Food Control Unit, Ministry of Health
– Colombo Municipal Council
– Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy

COPA discussed at length the matters arising when suing information technology, updating and maintenance of the software used. Special attention was paid to the use of information technology in the Department of Registration of Persons and the software expected to be used there.

The Sri Lanka Information Technology Agency (ICTA) also explained the contribution of their organization for this purpose. furthermore, a group of officials were also connected through Zoom technology.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

3 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

10 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.